Hearst Newspapers President Resigns

Hearst Newspapers President George Irish announced today he will leave his post, according to an e-mail he sent this morning to employees that was obtained by E&P.

It says he will be replaced by Executive Vice President Steven R. Swartz.

Calls to Hearst officials were not immediately returned. Irish was unavailable.

The memo follows:

***

December 10, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

I wish that I could be visiting with you in person at this time, but an email communication will have to carry my message. A formal announcement from Corporate Communications will be released later this morning.

Today, during the Hearst Board meeting, we will announce my retirement from the Hearst Corporation.

I will be turning over the responsibilities of Hearst Newspapers to the very capable Steve Swartz. Steve and I have now toiled together in newspapers and yellow pages directories for eight years. I am very pleased that Steve will lead this division and he is more than ready to do so. Most of you know Steve well, in fact, he has hired many of you and fostered most of your careers.

My relationship with many of you goes back to 1979, when the Midland Daily News became a Hearst Newspaper. In fact, for a few of you, it goes back even further. Very soon after that acquisition I was quoted as saying that I hoped to spend my career with Hearst.

Well, that is what I have done and I leave very proud of all of you and the great work that you do day-in and day-out. Whatever success we achieved over the last 29 years, we achieved as a team.

While I will continue my relationship with Hearst, it will be in a different capacity. My wife, Jeannie, and I are looking forward to this next chapter.

Hearst Newspapers President George Irish announced today he will leave his post, according to an e-mail he sent this morning to employees that was obtained by E&P.

It says he will be replaced by Executive Vice President Steven R. Swartz.

Calls to Hearst officials were not immediately returned. Irish was unavailable.

The memo follows:

***

December 10, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

I wish that I could be visiting with you in person at this time, but an email communication will have to carry my message. A formal announcement from Corporate Communications will be released later this morning.

Today, during the Hearst Board meeting, we will announce my retirement from the Hearst Corporation.

I will be turning over the responsibilities of Hearst Newspapers to the very capable Steve Swartz. Steve and I have now toiled together in newspapers and yellow pages directories for eight years. I am very pleased that Steve will lead this division and he is more than ready to do so. Most of you know Steve well, in fact, he has hired many of you and fostered most of your careers.

My relationship with many of you goes back to 1979, when the Midland Daily News became a Hearst Newspaper. In fact, for a few of you, it goes back even further. Very soon after that acquisition I was quoted as saying that I hoped to spend my career with Hearst.

Well, that is what I have done and I leave very proud of all of you and the great work that you do day-in and day-out. Whatever success we achieved over the last 29 years, we achieved as a team.

While I will continue my relationship with Hearst, it will be in a different capacity. My wife, Jeannie, and I are looking forward to this next chapter.